FORMER Chester second-row Gareth Martin has been snapped up by one of Italy's top clubs.

He was spotted playing in New Zealand by an agent from Treviso, who have given him a contract to play in their European Cup squad.

They have also provided him with a house and a car in the town which is near Venice and the home of club sponsors Benetton, the clothing giants.

Martin, a 22-year-old drama graduate who was brought up in Guilden Sutton and went to Upton High School, played for Chester's mini teams and rose through the ranks to the first team.

He also had a spell playing rugby league with London Broncos before the player-coach of the Hare Lane side, Murray King, introduced him to Cromwell, his club in his native New Zealand.

Martin, who plays in the second row, made an immediate impact at Cromwell and was made skipper of the first team and selected for the state under-23 side.

Said former Chester colts coach Steve Donovan: 'Considering he broke into the Chester team only 12 months ago, he has improved dramatically. He also seemed very ambitious as far as rugby was concerned and this is a great opportunity for him.'

Martin has been in New Zealand with Donovan's son, Sam, who is still there and planning to move to Australia in the new year to play for a club in Sydney. Chester defend their unbeaten North One record tomorrow with a home game against Vale of Lune (3pm). Director of rugby Terry Allen is expecting a stern test against a team who have the temporary services of a number of promising young players from Sale Academy.

'I think they will be a tougher team than some we have already played,' he said. 'But I fancy us at home against anyone.' Chester are optimistic about receiving an RFU grant to provide floodlighting for the first-team pitch at Hare Lane.